Dustpan



NOV. 27; 1934. F, STOVER 1,982,182

DUSTPAN Filed May 18. 1933 glwwmtoc TI ZCI S E l fover Patented Nov. 27, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DUSTPAN Application May 18, 1933, Serial No. 671,617

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to dust pans; and its object is, generally, to provide an improved device of that character; and more particularly, to

u provide such a device which will closely contact 9 the surface on which it rests; and further, to provide such a device which will not mar or in any wise injure such surface; and further, to provide such a, device which will be frictionally held against movement along such surface. These and any other and more specific objects hereinafter appearing are attained by, and the invention finds preferable embodiment in, the dust pan structure particularly described in the body of this specification and illustrated by the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational front view of a dust pan resting on a level floor;

Figure 2 is a like view of the lower portion thereof, raised slightly from the floor;

Figure 3 is a like view of the same resting on a floor having a non-level or uneven surface;

Figure 4 is a top plan View of the same;

Figure 5 is an elevational side view thereof;

Figure 6 is an enlarged elevational front view of a portion of the same, sectioned on line 66 of Figure 5; and

Figure '7 is a sectional view of the bottom part thereof taken on line 7-7 of Figure 4.

In the drawing is shown a dust pan or device of that character made of a flexible and elastic sheet, preferably of vegetable origin as rubber, bent to form a container having a cavity 1 to receive the sweepings from the floor 2, and a forward edge 3.

The bottom 4 of this container and particularly its forward edge portion 5 are by reason of their flexibility adapted to conform closely to a contacting surface, as the said floor, on which the device rests or along which it is moved, the weight of the device or pressure applied to its handle 6 thus conforming the same thereto. The bottom 4, as shown, comprises an approximately flat body portion 7 resting on the floor and said forward edge portion 5 inclined downwardly-forwardly from the body portion, as particularly shown in Figure '7, and pressed by the bottoms resiliency into even closer contact and conformity with the floor. The particular handle 6 illustrated extends upwardly to a top portion 8 adapted to be grasped by hand, and downwardly to form arms 9 pivoted in post portions 10 at the opposite sides of the bottom 4, these post portions having metallic sleeves or bearings 11 in which the outwardly turned ends 12 of the arms turn.

These arms 9 are desirably so formed as to spring apart into the position seen in Figure 1 thus urging the bottom 4 and particularly its forward edge portion 5 into the flat form closely conforming to a level floor as shown in that view. When the device is slightly raised from the floor by the handle, the weight of the bottom causes it to assume the downwardly convex shape seen in Figure 2, thus conforming it to a depression in the floors surface; and when the device contacts, such a floor as is shown in Figure 3 having depressions and elevations, said pressure being properly adjusted to said weight effects the conforming contact aforesaid.

The forward edge 3 of the bottom 4 is shown beveled downwardly-forwardly so as to not obstruct the free passage of sweepings into the cavity 1. The post portions 10 are desirably made of rubber and have bases 13 cemented on the devices bottom.

In the particular construction shown the opposite edges 14 of the rubber sheet are brought into sidewise contact and united as by cementing.

It will be seen that this device will not mar the floor along which it may be slid, and being made of rubber it tends to adhere to the floor and be frictionally held against sliding movement therealong; and also that the device is easily washed or cleaned.

I claim:

A device of the character described made of a flexible rubber sheet bent to form a container. with a bottom including an approximately flat body portion and a forward edge portion inclined downwardly-forwardly from the body portion and adapted to conform closely to a surface contacting therewith, the device having post portions adjacent its opposite sides with metallic bearings therein, and a handle comprising springable arms journalled in said bearings respectively.

' FRANCIS E. STOVER. 

